Whispers of Eternity

Chapter2

Stewart sat in the backseat with Florence attempting to console her as Christian Sherriff drove. Florence's reasoning was clouded. She was still in disbelief that Howard had abandoned her because she had concealed information from him, even if he had also done so. Every time she imagined Riley and Howard together, she felt ill. She was unwilling to accept Crest.

On the two-hour drive to Hornbeck, Stewart and Christian spoke and talked about what they were going to do when they got back to Shreveport, but Florence had said very little. The three of them were parked in front of the two-story brick home when she realized what had happened.

Florence was assaulted by a tidal surge of recollections. She forced herself to swallow, restraining herself from the ominous discomfort and attempting to recall what Rose, Howard's mother, had taught her about shutting things out. That was ancient agony, but Florence had been doing that for years. This was new, and Florence still felt its pain, no matter how things seemed to be.

Her head was propped up on Stewart's shoulder. With his arms around her, he placed his cheek atop her head. "Pet," he murmured. Will you be alright?Florence's eyes glazed for a brief moment, giving the impression that the dam may break, but then she turned it off like a lamp.

She nodded and gave a kind grin. She turned to face him and replied, "I'm fine."

Florence, hold on!"Said Christian. "Until I'm certain the house is secure, stay here with Nicky."

"Christian," she let out a moan. "What makes it not safe?"

"That depends on whether Crest was threatening with nothing in particular."

"Pet, Christian moves quickly. Being cautious doesn't harm you.”

She handed him the key to the front door and said, "All right, here, you'll need this."

Christian navigated the tangle of weeds and stinging nettles that had taken over the front yard. Their sting was severe, but not as merciless as the UK's nettles, he recalled from years before. He looked around and saw that there were several smashed windows below. He stepped over the rickety front porch, taking care to avoid the shards.

Once again, Florence's eyes glistened. She gasped, "I should have returned sooner, but the memories... are too painful."

How much a property can decline in value is amazing. How long has it been like this?"

"Too much time," Florence moaned.

Christian aligned the key up with the lock while holding the handle. He stopped. He pulled his revolver gingerly from the shoulder holster under his jacket with one hand. He looked away, put his finger to his lips, and gestured toward the vehicle. Grabbing Florence's hand, Stewart began guiding her in the direction of the open gate. "What is it?""

"We're boarding the vehicle."

Her eyes had become bigger. Her lips became parched. Her thoughts rushed back to the day she and Howard were being pursued. After opening the passenger door and putting her inside, Stewart took the wheel. The locks on the doors broke. He entered his

Taped the Bluetooth earbud. Christian, what is it?"

Christian looked closely at the impression and fissures on what he assumed to be a pry bar. "Someone has forced the door open."

The two watched him vanish inside the ancient home.

------------

She pointed and put her finger to her lips. They raced down the attic stairs while Christian was still in the front portion of the home. They eased the back door open, rushed across the yard to the edge of the trees, and ducked behind a large patch of briars. The woody talons ripped into her forearm, and she bit her lip. "You're gushing blood!He flinched.

She scowled. She gritted her teeth and said, "I'm fine," ignoring the pain as she released her arm. With a head shake, she said, "I've had far worse than this." Between the three lengths of barbed wire, they carefully crawled, then climbed into the vehicle that was waiting. Through the glove box, she reached. She rubbed the scrape and used her teeth to tear open the package while keeping an eye on the rear of the house. "Cover it with this," she suggested.

He pulled a face, put a Band-Aid over the scrape, and took a big gulp. She grinned subtly. He scowled. How come?"

She gave a headshake. Nothing. We're going as soon as they're gone. This cannot be repeated. It is very dangerous. ------------

After a little while, Christian beckoned toward the automobile as he dipped his head and emerged from under the porch. Stewart reassured everyone. He put his palm at Florence's small of her back and led her back through the open gate, saying, "We can get out now." "You found nothing, did you?"

"Just a few mice and a few black widows," said Christian.

replied.

Florence touched her arm, shivering. Stepping carefully over the porch, they steered clear of any weak planks. As they climbed the steps and passed through the entryway, she said, "This won't take long." She touched the railing, and dust grains swirled in the sunshine.

Stewart jerked his folded handkerchief out of his shirt pocket and strained his eyes. "Achoo!The boom echoed through the deserted home.

"Gesundheit," Florence grinned subtly. "Dust?"

Stewart nodded while furrowing his brow. "Why do you not sneeze?"While cleaning his twitching nose, he asked. "I assumed you had a breathing allergy."

Florence smiled. As they reached another door on the top level, she gestured with her head and said, "My bedroom was at the end of the hall." "I must enter here first.

My grandparents' room was this one.

She shrieked as she opened the closet door and sprang back into Stewart's arms. He smiled, "I guess we still need to work on that phobia."

"I know someone who could be able to assist with that."

Stewart gave Christian a scowl. "Take that thing out."

Christian's brows instantly lifted. "Me?After gently luring the brown recluse into an empty container, he shut the lid. "As you are aware...

Sometimes you misuse your power in front of me, Florence grinned stiflingly. Are you scared of spiders, Christian?"

"No, but they aren't house pets for me." He looked at the captured spider through the foggy pint jar and said, "I'll take this outside and wait for you in the car." "Nicky, let's get this done and head back to Shreveport."

Florence's eyes became narrower. "I won't be going anywhere until I've visited the graveyard!"

What is it that you need from the closet?Stewart enquired. "It's possible that Inncy Wincy had a family."

The trio of boxes lying on the ground.

"Those that are sealed?"

Yes, she sighed. But I'm not sure which one. Following Granny's burial, I began putting items in boxes. I couldn't finish labeling them and giving them to the Salvation Army. It came too soon. I never returned to the residence.

Stewart removed the silver electrical tape. He began placing the folded clothing on the bed, saying, "This one looks like it's filled with clothes." "Go through that one first. I've looked for bugs already. Christian is accurate. We have to move quickly. What are you trying to find?"

My grandma kept critical papers in tin cracker boxes and antique picture albums.

Florence thumbed through one of the albums and said, "I found the pictures. There's something solid in the bottom of this one." She found some old photos of her and Gary together as kids. Her gaze became hazy. "I'm excited to see Gary once more," she said. Stewart produced a tall metallic container. "Altin Cracers?He asked.

Florence gave a quick look upward. "Cheddar Crackers," she grinned. She thumbed through a few more pages and raised an eyebrow, scowling, "That's the one." "There are missing pictures," she said.

Something popped in the attic. Stewart began, scanning the dimly lighted space with cautious eyes. Florence smiled. She laughed, "It's just the house, Stewart." Do you have any experience with wood popping after it cools down?"

In the UK, brick or stone are used to build homes. They don't make any sounds, well, except for the radiator rattling. Are we through yet?"

Please deliver those two boxes. She laughed and shook her head, saying, "If you're afraid of spirits, go wait in the car with Christian." "No, I'm not alright, but I still feel like we're being watched."

Florence rolled her eyes. Stewart,

it's probably just bats.

Stewart's gaze expanded. "Bats?"